Physics Major & College Experience - Dila

Hello, you guys! Today, I would like to share with you advice from another guest to our page, and that is Dila! She is currently studying in Romania, and through the college time, she has learned a lot, not only about her major, but also her overall experience here. I hope that through reading this, you can be more ready for the upcoming college experience, along with having a better idea of how to guide your life through these years.

Hi! I'm currently studying physics, and I wanted to share a few thoughts and tips from my own experience especially for those who are just starting or thinking about majoring in physics. To be honest, sometimes (actually, often) I forget why I chose physics in the first place. But that's something I try to remind myself of — why I began, what excited me at the beginning. That spark matters. Don't try to learn everything at once. Give yourself time. You're not expected to understand relativity or quantum mechanics overnight. Take breaks, explore other interests. Watch movies, read books, learn things outside your usual interests. You might discover a passion where you least expect it. Just because you're majoring in physics doesn't mean you have to become a teacher or a researcher. Physics gives you a wide-open field — you can explore other industries, work in tech, engineering, data, education, even finance. I still don't know exactly what I want to do — and that's completely normal. Don't be afraid to ask questions. That might be one of the hardest parts. Really — ask when you don't understand. Often, the problem with physics isn't that it's impossible — it's that we don't build a solid foundation. Once the small pieces start coming together, everything becomes more fun and less scary. Read a lot. Learn beyond the syllabus. Don't trap yourself in just one place or path. Physics is such a fundamental science that it's hard to define or limit and that's what makes it exciting. You can collaborate with other disciplines, too. Try to keep your first year strong — both academically and in terms of understanding the basics. Even if you're not considering grad school now, that might change. Grades aren't everything, but they are something - especially if you're planning internships, scholarships, or exchanges. Keep a good relationship with your professors. They can really guide you, especially when you feel lost. Also, keep your math strong — math is everywhere in physics. Try to really understand the basics. If you skip over the "simple" stuff thinking you get it, it will come back to haunt you later. And finally — enjoy university. GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. Travel, meet new people, explore. Don't just study all the time. Grow culturally, personally, and emotionally. For me that's more important than lectures and lab work. If you don't like it and see literally no future for you, you CAN start again. I know it is really really hard. Don't waste your life, those couple years are nothing when you compare it with life.